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Data and computation

Biostatistician

Applies statistics to questions in biology and medicine, from designing clinical trials to analysing the data that shows whether a treatment works.

Biostatisticians work for drug companies, universities, public health bodies and contract research organisations, usually as part of a research team. It suits people who enjoy maths and coding and want their analysis to shape decisions about health.

Also called Medical statistician, Biometrician, Statistical scientist or Biostatistical consultant.

At a glance

Way in
Master's degree, often in statistics, mathematics, biostatistics, medical statistics and epidemiology
Pay in the US
$105,650 a year, the medianFor statisticians, the group O*NET places biostatisticians in, 2025
Pay in the UK
£28,000 starting to £65,000 with experienceFor a data analyst statistician, the nearest National Careers Service profile
US outlook
Much faster than average, 2025-2035
Suits you if
You like maths and code and want them to answer real questions in medicine.

Pay is a guide: it moves with the country, the employer, the sector and the years in the job. Figures from O*NET OnLine (US) and the National Careers Service (UK); see the sources below.

The work

What does a biostatistician do?

  • Help design studies, including how many participants are needed and how to randomise them.
  • Write analysis plans before the data arrive, so results are not chosen after the fact.
  • Clean and check data sets, then analyse them in R, SAS or Python.
  • Build statistical models to estimate effects and the uncertainty around them.
  • Explain results in plain words to clinicians, regulators and other researchers.

Where they work

  • Pharmaceutical companies
  • Universities and medical schools
  • Contract research organisations
  • Public health agencies
  • Hospital research units

Skills

The skills a biostatistician needs

  • Statistical methodsregression, survival analysis and mixed models
  • ProgrammingR, SAS or Python for reproducible analysis
  • Study designsample size, randomisation and control of bias
  • Attention to detailchecking every number in a report
  • Communicationturning results into clear tables, graphs and words
  • Data ethicshandling patient data securely and honestly

Route in

How to become a biostatistician

  1. Take a first degree with a large share of maths and statistics.
  2. Complete a master's in biostatistics, medical statistics or a close subject.
  3. Learn R or SAS well and analyse real data sets through projects or placements.
  4. Start as a trial or research statistician, and consider a PhD for senior research roles.

Degrees people take

  • Statistics
  • Mathematics
  • Biostatistics
  • Medical statistics
  • Epidemiology

Practise for it

The quizzes and tools that fit

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Next to it

Careers to weigh against it

Sources

Where the facts come from

Written for biofideX from these public sources. The pay figures are theirs, copied as published, last read 2026-10-25.

Requirements differ by country and change over time; check with the body that registers the profession where you will work. Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we'll correct it.

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